Give It Up

There’s a type of monkey that is easily trapped—it’s kind of an ingenious idea, really.  The trap involves  a jar of peanuts that is just large enough for the monkey to get his hand into.  He grabs a handful of peanuts—and refuses to let go.  Then the monkey is easily caught or killed, while all he has to do to escape is let go of the peanuts and withdraw his hand from the jar.

Isn’t that how we are sometimes?  We grab hold of something we want—a dream, a desire, a possession—and we steadfastly refuse to let go, no matter WHAT.  Society has even glorified the idea for us—the concept of “not letting go” of something important is considered a noble one.  Don’t get me wrong, determination is an admirable trait, and it has its place; but I’d like to suggest a radical, maybe slightly crazy idea regarding our desires and dreams:

Give them up.

You heard me right; let them go.

I can already hear the clamoring of angry protests: what about hard work?  What about accomplishment?  You honestly think we should all be lazy and apathetic? How can you even consider the idea of asking people to give up their deepest desires and lifelong dreams??

Before you stone me, let me explain.

Remember the monkey and the peanuts?  Often we hold so tight to what we want that it does us harm.  It distracts us, traps us, leaves us open to attack from the Enemy of our souls.  I know; not because I’ve witnessed it, but because I’ve experienced it.  I have grabbed on to a particular dream and steadfastly refused to let it go, trying to make it happen whenever possible—and becoming more and more discouraged every year that passed without that dream coming true.  I have neglected other vastly important aspects of my life while chasing something I cannot right now HAVE.

I have been that monkey.

And here is what I have recently learned.  Everything comes down to trust: if we are close to our Father in heaven, if we are constantly tethered to Him by prayer, praise, and His Word, if our will is HIS will—then the desires we have have been put there by HIM.  What does that mean?  It means those desires are very likely part of His plan for us, and will probably come to pass at some point.

But WE have to stay out of the way.

We have to let go and trust.  Because like Abraham and Sarah, if we try to jump the gun and make it happen ourselves, we’ll only make a mess of our dreams.

Give them to your Father, He’s much better at making dreams come true than you are.

And when He gives you that dream, that opportunity, when it’s time, and He tells you to move, NOW: that’s where determination comes in.  When you feel His release, His blessing on an opportunity, take it and run, and don’t you dare stop until you accomplish it.

Don’t stop working, don’t stop hoping, and don’t stop obeying.

As to MY particular dream, I’m still waiting.  So I’m not telling you to do something that I’m not right in the middle of struggling through myself.

Be encouraged, friends, He has your best interests at heart.  Give your dreams to Him; He is a better caretaker and smarter strategist for them than you could ever be.

Trust Him.

The Light of the World

I look the part, blend in with the rest of the church crowd/
I know the routine, I could list all the bible studies in town/
Watch Christian TV, I know all the preachers and their clichés/
I’ve been born again, without a doubt I know I'm saved/

I try to speak faith, never give the devil one inch to get in/
I do worship and praise, let everybody know just where that I stand/
On the back of my ride is a fish and a cross for the world to see/
I know God is good, all of the time, yes there's no doubt for me/
But sometimes I hurt, and sometimes I cry/
Sometimes I can't get it right no matter how hard I seem to try/
Sometimes I fall down, stumble over my own disguise/
I try to look strong as the whole world looks on/
But sometimes alone I cry/

                                                                ---Sometimes I Cry, as performed by Jason Crabb

To me, this song represents a fundamental part of not only Christian life, but of life for any human being.  The necessity to hide one’s true feelings, to struggle alone, to present to the world the face they expect to see, regardless of whether it is a true face or not.  But the struggle is slightly different for a Christian; slightly more….intense.

We’re taught from an early age (if you grow up in church) that Christians are “the light of the world”.  We’re supposed to point the way to Christ in a society full of darkness and evil.  It’s an epic struggle on a spiritual level that we’re not only supposed to engage in on a daily basis, but also in such a way that the rest of the world doesn’t see and think we’re completely off our rockers.  Don’t believe me?  Just try it.  Go tell a nonbeliever you’re engaged in a daily battle against the devil and see what happens.  They’ll laugh you to scorn, I guarantee it. 

I am not a supporter of going around and spilling your guts to every person who asks the question “how are you today?”, and I understand the need to speak carefully to unbelievers.  But I think most of us get the whole concept of “Light of the World” wrong in two distinct areas.

First of all, to be a light to a dying world does NOT mean refusing to interact with said world.  It does not mean acting like an untouchable superhero.  It does not mean judging their every move.  Most of all, it does NOT mean being so “perfect” they can’t relate to us at all.  Part of our light IS the reality that there is darkness in us, that we still struggle with some of the same things they do, that we are not perfect lights. Our message isn’t that Christ solves all our problems and after we get saved we are perfect.  People are not stupid.  They’ll never buy that, nor should they.  Our message is that once the spark of faith is lit, the darkness no longer holds power over us.  Our message is that God is the ultimate Light, and when we allow Him into our hearts, He shines through us, flaws and all.

Secondly, we should not have to hide this struggle from each other, from our brothers and sisters.  Those of you who are Christians understand that it can be wearing, this daily battle to live in a world that not only disagrees with us, but hates us a good majority of the time.  We really must support one another, not kick one another while we’re down.  And no, I’m not one for “CHRISTIAN UNITY!!! WE SHOULD ALL JUST AGREE AND SING KUM-BA-YA TOGETHER!!”  But I am one for supporting each other through thick and thin.  Disagreement is one thing, judgement another.  Let’s stop wounding each other, we get enough of that from the rest of the world.  It’s time we started acting like Christians—acting Christ-like—to one another as well.  Love your brother.  Support them.  Be there when they need a helping hand.  Do not judge them for their mistakes.  And always be ready to reconcile when they’ve done you wrong.

The only way we’re ever going to be a light to this world is if we are REAL.  We cannot expect the world to buy a lie.  We’re not perfect.  We’re not always happy.  We’re not even okay sometimes.  We’re not invincible, untouchable, always strong.  Face it, guys, we’re just like them.  Except for one vital difference: we have God. 

And that makes all the difference in the universe.

THAT is what they need to see.

Frying Pans, Who Knew, Right?

When you see someone doing something you don’t want them to, when you really REALLY need to get their attention, when they’re as dumb as a post and nothing else is going to make them stop what they’re doing, what do you use?

Well, okay, honestly we all know one smack from one of those would cause permanent brain damage and they probably wouldn’t remember you, BUT.  You get the drift. 

Ever had one of those experiences where a truth from God hits you so hard it knocks you on your backside?  A friend of mine calls them Spiritual Frying Pan Moments.  I think its appropriate. 

I had an especially staggering one last weekend.  It’s still smarting a bit.  One of those ones where you realize you’ve been going about something wrong for YEARS, the ones that result in a complete paradigm shift because you know the only way to correct your mistake is to turn totally around.

I’ve known I’m destined to be a musician for years.  Those of you who know me know it’s a dream, a calling, and an eventual career.  Southern Gospel music is what I grew up on and it’s what I love.  But even as I’ve worked at it, dreamed of it, and prayed for it; there’s always been a nagging thought at the back of my mind that has prevented me from giving my whole heart to it: “A song?  God, look at the world.  Look at it!  People dying, getting sick, hurting; they’re afraid, the world is twisted and evil and horrifying.  I want to help, and you want me to SING a SONG?  How exactly does that change the world??”

Yes, in response to your gasps of horror, I did in fact BERATE the creator of the universe.  I also feel really stupid about it.  Just for the record.  But He’s forgiven me, so should you. 

My point is, I realized the other night just HOW wrong I was, not only to question my Heavenly Father, who knows everything; but how wrong I was about music.  I’ve always been incredibly encouraged by gospel concerts, they remind me who I am, call out the best of me—the musician and the Christian.  But I always attributed that to the fact that I’m weird, figured that wasn’t the case for anyone else.  For the first time Friday night, I saw what gospel music does for OTHER people.
and I

The same thing it does for me.

I saw people who were hurting laugh.  People who were broken smile.  Families who were otherwise splintered singing together.  I saw old and young people respond to the music, the humor, and the ministry the same way: hungrily.  People—even Christians—NEED to know they’re not alone.  They NEED to laugh, to be encouraged, to be reminded that even though the world is harsh, God is still in control.

And God has asked ME to be one to tell them.

What an honor. 

If you take nothing away from this post, please take this: if God has given you a talent, asked you to do something, rest assured it is meaningful.  You may not be the superhero, running around in a cape and tights (or more realistically, a uniform of some kind) saving people’s literal lives.  You may not be a powerful politician writing legislation.  You may not be a rich company owner, able to donate money to worthy causes.  It doesn’t matter.  God needs everyday people to work in areas that don’t seem important but really are. 

You are important.  What God has called you to do is IMPORTANT.  You’re an irreplaceable part of His plan.  Don’t waste years wondering like I have.  Throw yourself into His work with all your heart, and make the difference He has created you for!